Don't make sailors like this now days.

[River Cruiser]

For all the true salts. LITTLE KNOWN TIDBIT OF NAVAL HISTORY The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators (i.e. fresh water distillers). However, let it be noted that according to her ship's log, "On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum." Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping." Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum. Then she headed for the Azores , arriving there 12 November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine. On 18 November, she set sail for England . In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging only the rum aboard each. By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland . Her landing party captured a whiskey distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn. Then she headed home. The U. S. S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum,no wine, no whiskey, and 38,600 gallons of water . GO NAVY!

[Rakuflames]

What a great story. thanks~

[Cheechako]

[haiqu]

According to that story ever man jack aboard must have been consuming two gallons of booze a day. I'm surprised they could sail let alone fight.

[rebel heart]

I was in the Navy and a good friend of mine became the XO of that ship for a bit. Kind of a weird job but he loved it.

[Richard5]

As is stated in the west (western states of USA), whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting. This pertains to the fights over water rights but it seems apropos here.

Distilled spirits didn't carry the microbes found in water. Plus, the men would likely riot if not for the grog. Grog and Sailor's Rights! Doesn't the Royal Navy still sail with a full provision of Pussers?

[Richard5]

The most recent refit (circa 2008) of ol Ironsides corrected the hogging of the ship which evidently had been there since the original construction. Eric, ask your buddy what he knows of that. I would be interested to hear from officers of how she handled.

[SaltyMonkey]

insane amount of booze and water. Was it club soda?

[ShipShape]

Originally Posted by River Cruiser

. Her landing party

Yes indeed.

[charliehows]

if you want men to fight, you have to give them the right incentive...

[SaltyMonkey]

I'll fight for sauerkraut

[SaltyMonkey]

Here's your buddy

Captain and Crew

[ShipShape]

Originally Posted by charliehows

if you want men to fight, you have to give them the right incentive...

Aaahhhh, this explains bar fights.

[charliehows]

sauerkraut - ok - correction...if you want men to fight...and win...youhave to etc etc.

[SkiprJohn]

I love a good "Sea Story."

As you know, today's Navy is very much anti-alcohol. The old EM (Enlisted Men's) Clubs, CPO (Chief Petter Officer') Clubs and Officer's Clubs have gone by the wayside. All the places I used to haunt as a sailor have disappeared. I think of all the great times and wonderful heroic men and women I met in those places from time to time. The top floor of the Le Lai Hotel in Saigon was a club full of my favorite heroes including astronauts. I met Frank Borman there.

Where does a young serviceman/woman go now to blow off a little steam and meet some new and interesting peers?

Sorry for the rant!